THE PEOPLE BEHIND SAFARIS BY LOCALS
Africa changed the way I travel. It inspired the way we work.
We help you discover Africa through the people who know it best: carefully selected local safari operators, personal recommendations, and first-hand knowledge built on time spent on the ground.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Seven months in Africa. A different way to plan a safari.
I’m Arnau, a traveller, wildlife photographer, and professional travel writer from Spain. The heart of Safaris by Locals comes from an initial seven-month journey across Africa, spending long days exploring national parks, going on safari, meeting guides, and getting to know the local people who make these experiences possible.
Those months changed more than the way I saw wildlife. They showed me how much a great safari depends on the people behind it—and how difficult it can be for travellers to know which local companies to trust.
I created Safaris by Locals to bring those two sides closer together: travellers looking for an unforgettable experience, and local experts who deserve to be discovered for the quality of what they do.
We don’t believe you need more choice. You need the right local people for your kind of safari.
WHAT GUIDES US
A more personal, more local approach.
A safari is about more than the places you visit. It is also about the people who welcome you, guide you, and share their home with you. Our approach is built around making those connections easier to find.
01
Local knowledge first
02
Recommendations with care
We focus on a small, carefully considered network, not an endless directory. First-hand experience, conversations, and research guide our choices.
03
A better connection
OUR JOURNEY
Built on experience, relationships and a local-first mindset.
7+ MONTHS
Exploring Africa
500+
Safari requests arranged
09
Trusted local operators
MEET THE TEAM
Three people. One shared love for Africa.
Safaris by Locals brings together first-hand safari experience, local community perspectives, and thoughtful communication. We each bring a different point of view, united by a belief that tourism works best when local people are at its heart.
FOUNDER
Arnau
The traveller behind the idea
A wildlife photographer and professional travel writer, Arnau has spent years exploring the natural world, with a particular passion for Africa and its wildlife. After seven months travelling across the continent, going on safari, and building relationships with local guides and operators, he found the inspiration to create Safaris by Locals. Today, he combines this project with other initiatives focused on nature conservation and sustainable tourism.
LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS
Daniel
Rooted in East Africa
Based in East Africa, Daniel works alongside NGOs on social inclusion and community development through sustainable tourism. His work gives him a firsthand understanding of how responsible tourism can create opportunities for local people and strengthen communities. At Safaris by Locals, he brings this perspective to our mission of promoting locally led tourism that benefits both travellers and the communities that welcome them.
MARKETING & STORYTELLING
Clara
Turning a love of Africa into stories
Clara is a marketing specialist with a deep love for Africa, regularly returning to discover new national parks and revisit her favourites, including Samburu and Ngorongoro Crater. At Safaris by Locals, she helps bring our stories to life while working directly with local safari operators to improve their websites and marketing, empowering them to reach more travellers and grow their businesses independently.
WHY SAFARIS BY LOCALS
Better for travellers. More opportunity for local businesses.
We built Safaris by Locals to make finding a trusted local safari operator simpler and more transparent. Our service is completely free for travellers. When a booking is confirmed through our introduction, the operator pays us a small, agreed referral commission.
Unlike the high commissions often charged by large booking platforms, our model is designed to be fair to local operators. We earn enough to sustain Safaris by Locals, continue creating practical travel guides, researching destinations, and building relationships with trusted local experts, while allowing our partner agencies to retain the vast majority of their earnings and reinvest in their businesses, teams, and services.
We believe local operators should benefit directly from the tourism they help create. Our role is to connect travellers with the right people, build trust, and make the booking process more transparent, not to take a disproportionate share of the value they provide.
Our service is free for you, and your safari is organised directly with your chosen local operator. You remain in control of your decision, with the confidence that your booking supports the people who know these destinations best.